1. The Glasgow Herald is apparently the longest running national newspaper in the world. This edition is from June 28th, 1971 
2. On page 16 we find a nice little article about our entry into the Common Market. It’s quite educational, so let’s look at what we can learn about the 1971 Common Market, and how it was reported.
3. “On Road to Political unity in Europe” in BIG letters. It is quite difficult to miss.
4. There is nothing more sensitive than the questions MPs ask about political union. There are strong views on both side, subsequently the government is soft-pedalling.
5. A politically united Europe is implicit in the treaties. There is already a parliament made up of 142 delegates that meets for up to a week 8 times a year. The UK on entry will take 36 seats out of 208.
6. The parliament has experienced a formation of political groups and an assembly that is opposing rather than rubber stamping.
7. The parliament can, in principle, dismiss the Commission, but the relationship is more like a board and its shareholders. Parliamentary control looks like it will develop on American lines.
8. The process to create an elected parliament has begun, and can be seen as a final step towards European political union, including harmonising of defence and foreign policies. Fixed contributions will be discontinued by 1977.
9. Budgetary powers in parliament are being strengthened and parliament are this has resulted in the parliament pushing for direct elections earlier so they can have a final say. The European parliament is not a “toytown parliament” by any means.
10. It is important to have first class people sitting in the European Parliament. Within its narrow framework it has more effective powers than the UK Parliament. Future UK representatives will push for greater powers. /End
